CINEMAGOGUE: Reclaiming Entertainment and Navigating Narrative for the Myths and Mirrors they were Meant to be

Do you like movies?

Are you a cinephile? Do your friends consult YOU instead of IMDB? Were you raised on television? Spend hours talking cinema? This book is DEFINITELY for you. OR… if you’re a casual consumer who thinks Hollywood exists simply for diversion, this book may change your life.

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Humans crave narrative and usually don’t stop to question why. Are we perhaps created to consume story, to create story, because we’re image bearers of a Master Storyteller? In this book, movies meet God at the multiplex as the author challenges readers to redefine entertainment, understand the story they’re in, and experience a new integrated level of spirituality and entertainment. This book will help you:

• Understand the shared story in which we all play a part.
• Connect human creativity with the impulse of our Creator.
• Explore the relationship between images and imaging God.

What can we learn about ourselves – and our relationship to God – from Iron Man, Doctor Who and Han Solo? What are people like Jon Stewart and even Michael Bay helping us understand about story, good and bad? Peppered with movie quotes and metaphors, journey through the incredible changes film and storytelling have had on 21st century culture. Instead of an overly-academic offering on film and faith, Cinemagogue weaves a narrative from the author’s own pop culture saturated life to the Greatest Story Ever Told, from Superman to Citizen Kane, Bertrand Russell to John Frame, Kurt Vonnegut to the apostle Paul, from our favorite narrative to our shared meganarrative.

Classic notions of story structure, “monomyth” and universally shared themes in both popular and classic tales are examined in light of ancient scripture. From there, readers can see the genesis of creativity and worldview distortions from which conversation can bring us back to the future. After a dirty dozen examples of popular film in chapter five (with questions for discussion) the book tackles common objections with genre and content: horror movies, foul language, violence, sexuality, magic and more… and how many traditional objections are overshadowed by incredible opportunities for those brave enough to overcome fear and wade into the culture stream, secure in their faith. Readers have said:

“…really convicted me in both the movie and gaming arena to analyze what I am watching/playing and why. I had almost zero discernment before stumbling onto your series…”

“…I grew up on television in the 80s and relate to the context you grew up in…. I thank God for you and your ability to glorify him in everything, no matter what.”

The book ends with a call and commission to those who consider themselves spiritual and religious to get their heads out of the sand, to start realizing and utilizing the power of narrative.

A requested resource by movie-goers, movie-makers, pastors and teachers, Cinemagogue is an extension of a website and podcast (Popcorn Theology), providing a “how-to” for those who want to experience the transforming power inherent in all story.

“Listening to your podcasts… opened my eyes to examine what I watch even closer.”

Take your entertainment seriously while simultaneously having more fun with it than ever before. Learn how to watch to glorify, to be edified, and possibly to evangelize. Even better, create to magnify.

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Also, you can NOW get the SEQUEL to Cinemagogue that covers the last decade of “super” cinema and the changes to movie-going, modern mythology, storytelling and more! CINEMAGOGUE: The MARVEL-Us Era is available now! Why does the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the “Infinity Saga” continually align with biblical themes? The Cinemaguy reviews each film and shows how individual movies express gospel parallels, while each “Phase” essentially reveals a multi-point sermon.

He also explores DC, Star Wars, the Monsterverse and more. If you’ve enjoyed, or been enraged by, franchises in the 21st century, you’ll find something to resonate with or challenge your perceptions in this book. Without compromising scriptural truth, James sifts the stories and shows how we can reject, receive, and redeem ideas for personal reflection and Christian conversation. Whether you started with the X-Men in 2000 or just watched Deadpool and Wolverine (or enjoyed any superhero movies in-between) you’re bound to find interesting ideas to ruminate on, or start some super conversations with others.